Numerati's definitions

Pilanthropy

Short for “Pi Philanthropy.” A showy donation by a geeky or vanity billionaire to fund pi research, which could inexplicably or allegedly help save planet Earth from extinction, or which would increase the chances of earthlings communicating with extraterrestrials in order to avoid any mishap that could lead into a galactic war.

Bezos and Branson are donating close to half a billion bucks to the Center of Pi Research—doesn’t their pilanthropy sound like some kind of insincere telescopic philanthropy to distract the skeptical public from questioning why both are paying so little tax on the billions they’d amassed during the pandemic?

by Numerati August 10, 2023

Bar Model Method

Singapore’s beloved problem-solving aphrodisiac, which can generate and induce mathematical desire in oft-unmotivated or math-anxious students, teachers, and parents—a brain-friendly means to instilling motivation and passion in them to becoming a confident problem solver.

Thanks to the bar model method, millions of homeschoolers outside the “fine” city with the death penalty could testify to the aha! moments they’d experienced time and time again, compared to their peers who’re too shy to experiment with the visualization strategy.

by Numerati August 4, 2023

AI-gebra

The use or misuse of AI to generate free algebra questions, most of which are quasi-plagiarized from social media platforms, where unknowns, variables, or parameters are represented by look-alike logos or trademarked symbols.

On querying ChatGPT to produce a sample of middle-school AI-gebra questions, Mr. Pinocchio was greeted with the following:

1. Solve these equations.
a) 𝕏 = 𝕏 + 1
b) 5 + 4x = 4(x – 2)

2. Find 𝕏 for which (𝕏 + 3)² = 𝕏² + 9.

3. Solve the following:
(i) 𝕏(2𝕏 + 3) = 2𝕏(𝕏 + 3)
(ii) (x + 2)² = x² + 4x + 3

by Numerati August 4, 2023

X

The name of an arguably mismanaged company, invariably defined by a range of unknowns or variables, such as the true value of its assets, the number of fake or spam accounts, the uncertain dismissal of more employees with declining ad revenue, its decision to allow hate speech on its platform, and its possible sale to a gullible or rogue owner to avoid bankruptcy.

What are the odds that with all the lawsuits, fines, and more advertisers deserting the platform, not to say, the low morale among its overworked staff, X might be the next Blockbuster or Kodak?

by Numerati August 3, 2023